Published: Monday, July 1, 2013 at 11:56 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 1, 2013 at 11:56 a.m.

These colorful strands of postmodern patchwork are not only in vogue, they're highly purposeful.

While it may appear to be a superfluous fashion statement in athletic wear, such as in the era when wrist bands were cool, this wrap is rad because it works.

It's called Kinesio Taping, a patented product developed by Kenzo Kase of Japan about 25 years ago, and has become the gold standard for therapeutic rehabilitative taping. It has been endorsed by numerous athletes after gaining worldwide acclaim when it was used in 2008 by Kerri Walsh, the beach volleyball gold medalist in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

However, it is not the tape itself that works magic. "There's nothing in the tape. It's 100 percent cotton," Nunn explains. "It's how it's applied and the way it lifts the skin to reduce swelling and fluid from bruising." The tape is designed to assist with the return of normal movement, she said.

Nunn, with 20 years' experience and a doctorate in physical therapy, is certified by the Kinesio Taping Association, one of only 15 certified in North Carolina.

Nunn says after millions of people saw the colorful tape used by Walsh on her shoulder, interest skyrocketed in Kinesio Taping. Now, athletic trainers and physicians as well as physical therapists are using the tape.

"In my clinical practice, I use Kinesio Taping to reduce pain, stabilize joints and ligaments, to facilitate muscle function, to improve posture, to reduce scarring and to increase circulation," Nunn says. "The taping method is designed to facilitate the body's natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body's range of motion.

"The tape and the application method allow the patient to receive the therapeutic benefits over a prolonged period of time because it can be worn for several days unlike other types of tape. The prolonged wear time promotes healing and assists with the return of normal movement patterns."

Kinesio Tape is often used in conjunction with other therapies.

Nunn became interested in Kinesioļƒ'Taping when a friend introduced it to her. "I saw that it truly can make a significant difference in a patient's recovery, so I attended the educational classes required to become a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner," Nunn says.

A patient, Jason Fulk of Midway, says, "The taping gives me stability when stability is not present. I have confidence to use my arm more, and I feel in control and less fearful when exercising. The tape is one reason I am ahead of schedule in my recovery."

Kinesio Taping is used for people of all ages, from babies to seniors, Nunn says.

Nunn has been a physical therapist at Lexington Medical Center for 19 years. She is a native of Lexington and graduate of East Carolina University and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Nunn treats patients at both the North Davidson Office of Lexington Medical Center and at the Lexington campus. For more information, call 764-4583.

Dwight Davis can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 226 or at dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.

<p>These colorful strands of postmodern patchwork are not only in vogue, they're highly purposeful.</p><p>While it may appear to be a superfluous fashion statement in athletic wear, such as in the era when wrist bands were cool, this wrap is rad because it works.</p><p>It's called Kinesio Taping, a patented product developed by Kenzo Kase of Japan about 25 years ago, and has become the gold standard for therapeutic rehabilitative taping. It has been endorsed by numerous athletes after gaining worldwide acclaim when it was used in 2008 by Kerri Walsh, the beach volleyball gold medalist in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.</p><p>But it's not just for jocks. </p><p>Anyone who has "a muscle strain or spasm, ligament injury or sprain, painful scar, or edema, you can benefit from Kinesio Taping," says resident expert Tracy Nunn, physical therapist at Wake Forest Baptist Health — Lexington Medical Center.</p><p>However, it is not the tape itself that works magic. "There's nothing in the tape. It's 100 percent cotton," Nunn explains. "It's how it's applied and the way it lifts the skin to reduce swelling and fluid from bruising." The tape is designed to assist with the return of normal movement, she said.</p><p>Nunn, with 20 years' experience and a doctorate in physical therapy, is certified by the Kinesio Taping Association, one of only 15 certified in North Carolina. </p><p>Nunn says after millions of people saw the colorful tape used by Walsh on her shoulder, interest skyrocketed in Kinesio Taping. Now, athletic trainers and physicians as well as physical therapists are using the tape.</p><p>"In my clinical practice, I use Kinesio Taping to reduce pain, stabilize joints and ligaments, to facilitate muscle function, to improve posture, to reduce scarring and to increase circulation," Nunn says. "The taping method is designed to facilitate the body's natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body's range of motion.</p><p>"The tape and the application method allow the patient to receive the therapeutic benefits over a prolonged period of time because it can be worn for several days unlike other types of tape. The prolonged wear time promotes healing and assists with the return of normal movement patterns." </p><p>Kinesio Tape is often used in conjunction with other therapies.</p><p>Nunn became interested in Kinesioļƒ'Taping when a friend introduced it to her. "I saw that it truly can make a significant difference in a patient's recovery, so I attended the educational classes required to become a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner," Nunn says.</p><p>A patient, Jason Fulk of Midway, says, "The taping gives me stability when stability is not present. I have confidence to use my arm more, and I feel in control and less fearful when exercising. The tape is one reason I am ahead of schedule in my recovery."</p><p>Kinesio Taping is used for people of all ages, from babies to seniors, Nunn says. </p><p>Nunn has been a physical therapist at Lexington Medical Center for 19 years. She is a native of Lexington and graduate of East Carolina University and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.</p><p>Nunn treats patients at both the North Davidson Office of Lexington Medical Center and at the Lexington campus. For more information, call 764-4583.</p><p>Dwight Davis can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 226 or at dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.</p>